I’ve always prayed that my kids would know the difference between rich and blessed.
Here’s part of a letter from our son:
Chisomo for me was time of re-evaluating my priorities in life. One boy in particular did this for me. His name was Brian. He was from Northern Zambia. At the age of about 8 he was living with his uncle as both his parents had died from HIV/AIDs. He was chased away from his home by this uncle as he did something (he never told me what he did). He fled to Lusaka so he could continue his education. Of course as an 8 year old in a new city with no money he wouldn’t last long. The only friends he made were street kids. So he fell in with them and 8 years later is still there with them. What was so extraordinary about him was his sheer determination for a successful life.
What I have left out is that almost every person living on the streets in Zambia has a severe addiction to sniffing glue. When someone is hungry the glue will take their hunger away, when they are cold, it warms them and it also just takes the woes of a life of misery away. For any child wishing to attend Chisomo the one rule is that they leave their glue outside of the gates.
Now Brian’s big thing was he hated drugs in general. He hated the way he couldn’t control his thoughts when he was high, how it made people treat others badly. He had used them for a while but managed to get himself clean while still living on the street. He was a leader of his group of friends. They looked to him for advice, protection, a laugh or someone to just talk to. He had nothing, but was willing to give everything, why? Love. He loved all that he was surrounded with. He loved the fact of just being able to breathe. He was offered a sleeping place at Chisomo and a chance to finish his education but he turned it down. Why? His exact words were, “So the younger boys have a chance.”
For a 16 year old boy to have this kind of head on his shoulders was nothing short of inspiring to me. He had goals and ambitions for life despite having no current way meeting them. He was a truly naturally born leader and I have no doubt in my mind that one day he will find a way see his goals and ambitions met.
So many people have asked, “Aren’t you worried about C being in Africa?” All I can say is NO! I’m far more fearful for him getting comfortable in the wealth and selfishness of Vancouver.
